German Car Zone

It has to be that way.

AFAIK Parameterlenkung was even standard on the Classic C200 CDI I testdrove not too long ago. Under the features list of that car it clearly said "Paramterlenkung (0 Euro)" meaning the car has it and it wasn't a cost-option.

mhmm.. I'd be pretty convinced to say that the standard features vary between the market they sell in. But I'd be surprised to find that the UK and German market would have different standard features

I'm pretty sure we have parameter steering on all models here in Australia, as well as PARKtronic, which i believe isn't standard on some overseas models? On the other hand, we don't have heated front seats as standard in Australia, which i tend to think they are standard in some other markets? i'm guessing they pick out what they think the market would most expect to be 'standard' in a car of that pricing level for more satisfaction

Well, in DK due to our outrageous car taxes, it's historically been the case that the standard equipment was the air that happened to be trapped inside the car at the time of delivery...

It is getting better though.

Still, you'd probably die if I showed you an options list from Mercedes or BMW. I remember Nappa upholstery being a 35K Euro option in 1999 on the w220.

Mercedes' does different things according to different markets. It could well be that in other markets the Parameterlenkung is excluded as a standard feature (though it should be standard IMO if that's the case).

They probably have their reasons for it. Market research can reveal some interesting facts - or perceived facts.